US PRESIDENT Barack Obama has launched a scathing attack on Donald Trump and described him as "unfit" for the White House.

Mr Obama challenged Republican leaders to withdraw their support for Mr Trump over his criticism of a Muslim family whose US Army captain son was killed while protecting comrades in Iraq.

He said: "The Republican nominee is unfit to serve as president and he keeps on proving it.

"The notion that he would attack a Gold Star family that had made such extraordinary sacrifices on behalf of our country, the fact that he doesn't appear to have basic knowledge around critical issues in Europe, in the Middle East, in Asia means that he's woefully unprepared to do this job."

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The Republican nominee is unfit to serve as president and he keeps on proving it

Barack Obama

He said leading Republicans, including Speaker of the House of Representatives Paul Ryan, Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell and one-time Republican presidential nominee John McCain, had all condemned Mr Trump for his remarks but stood by their endorsements of him.

Mr Obama said: "The question I think that they have to ask themselves is, if you are repeatedly having to say in very strong terms that what he has said is unacceptable: Why are you still endorsing him?

"What does this say about your party that this is your standard-bearer?"

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DEFIANT: Donald Trump has brushed off the criticisims

Donald Trump's most bizarre and uncomfortably awkward quotes

Tue, November 8, 2016

Donald Trump business mogul turned political candidate is well known for his off the wall and often offensive quotes; here are some of his most mind boggling quotes from over the years.

A recording of Donald Trump emerged during his campaign of him boasting back in 2005 “I’m automatically attracted to beautiful — I just start kissing them. It’s like a magnet. Just kiss. I don’t even wait. And when you’re a star, they let you do it. You can do anything.” He then went on to say “Grab ’em by the pussy. You can do anything.”

Mr Obama added: "There has to come a point at which you say, somebody who makes those kinds of statements doesn't have the judgment, the temperament, the understanding to occupy the most powerful position in the world."